Thank you for joining the UBC Language Sciences Institute and the Douglas College Interpreting Program for a screening of the 2021 Academy Award winning film, CODA, followed by a panel of CODAs, moderated by ASL specialist and interpreter, Nigel Howard! ASL-English interpretation will be present throughout the entire event.

Refreshments will be available for purchase at the concession stand prior to the film-screening, as well as during the intermission. 

The evening's agenda is as follows:

FILM SYNOPSIS:

As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family's fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her passion at Berklee College of Music and her fear of abandoning her parents.

This film is rated 14A. 

PANELIST BIOS:

Amanda Zimmer

Amanda Zimmer, Elder Millennial and eldest of three CODAs. Born and raised in the Lower Mainland to Deaf parents, Gerald Zimmer and Gail Zimmer, two very prominent and active figures in the Deaf community. Amanda was blessed with the unique experience of life immersed in Deaf and hearing cultures and bridged the gap between both worlds acting as an unofficial interpreter and cultural mediator. This lived experience had its significant challenges and unexpected benefits which shaped Amanda into the person she is today and ultimately, led to a career as a professional Sign Language Interpreter. Currently, Amanda resides in Pitt Meadows with her hearing husband Jimmy and infant son Maddox, their cat and a couple of Great Danes.

Lily Flanjak

Lily Flanjak (they/she) is a CODA, improvisor, artist, cook, and Sign Language Interpreter. They grew up in the Lower Mainland as the third of four kids, to parents Aastrid Evensen and Mijo Flanjak. They spoke about some of their thoughts about the film CODA on March 25, 2022 for CBC Radio’s Early Edition. Ironically, the transcript is not readily available on their website, meaning it’s inaccessible to Deaf and Deafblind folks. Currently, Lily resides on Coast Salish territory, and works throughout the Lower Mainland. They are a proud auntie of two kiddos, two cats, and two dogs, and enjoy spending time figuring out what life is all about with their loved ones.

Ursula Sargent

Ursula Sargent (they/she) is the youngest of 3 siblings to Deaf parents, Pek Sargent and David Sargent. Intersectionality played a large part in their life as they not only identify as a CODA, but also BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent. Their multifaceted identity plays a large part of what motivated them in becoming a Sign Language Interpreter. They also work at lululemon, where they are actively engaging and creating conversations around accessibility, diversity, and inclusion with their team and in the company. Currently, Ursula resides on Kwikwetlem land while they work in the Lower Mainland as a Sign Language Interpreter. They also spend time back and forth between Sacramento and Vancouver visiting their hearing, long-distance partner Youngjin.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Mask-wearing is currently optional, but we encourage everyone to make personal choices that provide a level of comfort for their own protection. 

ABOUT UBC LANGUAGE SCIENCES

No other animals use language. It is integral to humans, and has enabled us to create complex civilizations, technology, and culture. From investigating children’s development of language, to examining dyslexia and recovery from stroke, to helping the revitalization and maintenance of Indigenous languages, to modelling the human vocal tract, our members’ research helps improve lives, and inform society.

The Language Sciences Institute was established in 2015, generously supported by long-time Vancouver educator and language and literacy advocate Marietta Hurst. In 2021, Language Sciences was established as a Global Research Excellence Institute. 

We aim to connect scholars, teachers, and researchers working in all areas of the language sciences, to create collaborations that produce and support innovative research. Our members span fields, disciplines, faculties, and institutions. Projects funded by Language Sciences have explored promoting multilingual literacy for young Canadians through online storybooks, the effects of vibrating devices on speech intelligibility, how opera training may sculpt our brains, how language might affect patient well-being, and much more.

The Language Sciences Institute strives to communicate our members’ work to many audiences: researchers, students, institutions, communities, and the general public!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @UBCLangScis for news and events relating to language sciences!

ABOUT THE DOUGLAS COLLEGE INTERPRETING PROGRAM

The Sign Language Interpretation Program at Douglas College is unique to British Columbia, and is the only one of its kind in Canada. As Deaf individuals increasingly access education, career and community services, the demand for Sign Language Interpreters is growing across the country. If you are skilled in American Sign Language (ASL), this program will prepare you for a dynamic career in a rapidly-expanding field. 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

We would like to recognize and thank Sara MacFayden and Kristen Pranzl from Douglas College for their support in championing this event, and to all the Douglas College student volunteers for ensuring this event runs smoothly. 

Thank-you to our incredible interpreters, Lisa McCarron and Sara MacFayden, as we are so grateful for their time and expertise!

A huge thank-you to Nigel Howard, who has been heavily involved in brainstorming and planning current and future Language Sciences events related to the d/Deaf and Hard-of-hearing community, as well as to Dr. Janet Jamieson, for her tireless inspiration and assistance in planning relevant and respectful community-oriented programming on issues facing the d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community.

We would like to recognize and thank our panelists, Amanda Zimmer, Lily Flanjack and Ursula Sargent for their time and openness to share their experiences.

Lastly, thank you to the UBC Language Sciences team, Ella Fund-Reznicek, Diya Biswas and Kelsea Franzke for bringing this event to fruition.